Fewer appointments at the Foreigners' office
One of the most important changes concerns the electronic Residence permit eAT). Until now, many people had to return to the Foreigners' office. There, among other things, their fingerprints, a photograph, and their signature were recorded.
In the future, this data can be stored and reused later. This means that anyone who needs to renew their temporary Residence permit or apply for a new one will no longer need to make a new appointment to provide their fingerprints. This is intended to reduce the workload for immigration authorities and applicants and speed up the process.
Section 18 of the Residence Act: More Time After Losing a Job
The law also includes an important change for people with a Residence permit employment under Section 18 of the Residence Act (AufenthG). In the case of a fixed-term employment contract, the Residence permit will Residence permit be valid for the duration of the employment contract plus an additional six months. Previously, it was three additional months.
If the employment relationship ends earlier than planned, those affected should have at least six months to find a new job. Previously , the period was also only three months.
Those who have worked under particularly poor or exploitative working conditions should even be given at least nine months to do so. However, the Residence permit valid for longer than originally intended.
Government agencies should exchange information more quickly
The law is intended to significantly simplify the exchange of data between government agencies. In the future, for example, identity documents, visa application records, and other information will be stored centrally in the Central Register of Foreign Nationals (AZR).
This also applies to Naturalization : Results of the German Test for Immigrants (DTZ), the “Life in Germany” test, and the naturalization test will be stored in the Central Register of Foreigners in the future. Immigration and naturalization authorities will then be able to access this information directly.
An Overview of All Major Changes
Overall, the law provides for the following important changes:
- Fingerprints, photographs, and signatures should be reusable when renewing a temporary residence permit. The data may be stored for up to ten years for adults and up to five years for children. This Foreigners' office an additional appointment at the Foreigners' office when renewing or reissuing a temporary residence permit.
- Fingerprints and photographs that have already been collected should be reusable when applying for a new national visa.
- For national visas, fingerprints may be collected starting at age six.
- Identity information is to be stored more comprehensively in the Central Register of Foreign Nationals. This includes, for example, name, date of birth, place of birth, and nationality. Clarification of identity also Clarification of identity possible to file official and certain non-official documents used Clarification of identity in their entirety in the Central Register of Foreign Nationals.
- Important documents from the visa application process should be stored digitally. These include, for example, employment contracts, educational certificates, civil status documents, and proof of language proficiency or financial means.
- The results of the German Language Test for Immigrants (DTZ), the “Life in Germany” test, and the naturalization test are to be stored in the Central Register of Foreigners.
- Information about certain social benefits will also be stored in the Central Register of Foreign Nationals in the future. These include, among other things, benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act, the citizen's income, social assistance, and advance child support payments.
- Family benefits offices should have easier access to information on residency status. This is intended to allow them to verify eligibility for child benefits and the child supplement more quickly.
- Parental benefit offices should also be able to access certain information regarding residency status.
- In the future, information from criminal proceedings is to be transmitted more quickly and digitally to the relevant immigration authorities.
Conclusion: What happens next?
The Bundestag passed the bill yesterday. Next, the Bundesrat must consider it. After that, the law can be signed into law and published in the Federal Law Gazette.
The changes will take effect gradually:
- The day after publication: The new rules governing the storage and reuse of fingerprints, photographs, and signatures for temporary residence permits will take effect. The new rules for foreign employees will also take effect at that time.
- Effective November 1, 2026: The first changes to the visa application process and the storage of letters of commitment will take effect.
- Effective November 1, 2027: Additional government agencies, including family benefits offices, will be able to access additional residence and identity data from the Central Register of Foreign Nationals.
- Effective May 1, 2028: Results of the German language test for immigrants, the “Life in Germany” test, and the naturalization test will be stored in the Central Register of Foreign Nationals.
- Effective May 1, 2030: Additional technical regulations governing the storage of biometric data in the Central Register of Foreign Nationals will take effect.
